Since Kanye West's performed in an entirely white pair of the sneakers at the Billboard Music Awards back in 2015, the Ultra Boost has blurred the line between fashion and performance sneaker more than few others. It's understated silhouette, simple colorways and woven Primeknit upper makes it the most stylish performance running sneaker made in recent memory (especially when worn with track pants). Most importantly, of the dozens of pairs of shoes I've worn in the past couple years, the Ultra Boost is decidedly the most comfortable. The full length Boost foam-lined sole kinda looks like you're walking on styrofoam. It feels like you're walking on memory foam.

But the original low top iteration of the adidas Originals Campus 80's Japan Pack Vintage Trainer CP4056, retails at a hefty $180, in the upper price echelons of performance running shoes and certainly closer to luxury sneaker pricing than casual. Now, how would you feel if you added on an ankle sock and $40 to the price tag?

Ultra Boost All Terrain (Adidas)

Well, Adidas did just that with the Womens Shoes ECCO Auckland Loafer True Navy, released back in September of this year. Billed as a fall and winter weather-variant of the Ultra Boost, the ATR sports an ankle-height sock for increased stability and splash protection, plus a deeper-grooved rubber outsole for better traction while running in wet weather. The original's plastic lace cage is replaced with Primeknit fabric, plus a smaller box that sits atop the shoe. Finally, the ATR comes in darker colorways Womens Shoes ECCO Sport ECCO Cool Morillo,adidas Originals Los Angeles Trainer CP4109,Womens Shoes GUESS Ara Black Suede, as to not show winter muck after a damp run. Adidas sent me a pair to review, so I took them not only to the damp streets of Portland, but to the streets of New York.

The original Ultra Boost is an extremely popular fashion sneaker, and new colorways are regularly sold out online and in store (check Portland's Converse Chuck Taylor All Star High Leather Trainer CP4276, for rare pairs!). The ATR keeps the original's subdued aesthetics, but the midtop construction adds a new design element which I think makes the sneaker well-suited for styling with jeans as well as athleticwear Womens Shoes New Balance WT1210V2 Blue/Yellow,Creative Recreation Santos Trainor CP4347,Womens Shoes New Balance WC60 - Tennis Grey/Pink,.

As for the on-foot feel, the ATR is comfortable, but not quite as comfortable as the original Ultra Boost. Though the ATR's tougher sole provides better traction than the original it leads to an on-foot feeling that isn't quite as heavenly.

Further, the shoe feels slightly tighter-fitting and more socklike than the original. The ankle sock doesn't overheat the foot, but when tied tight, the tops of my feet develop a pinchy feeling after a few hours that doesn't Womens Shoes New Balance Classics WL515 Blue/Pink Synthetic,Cruyff Pep Trainer CP4389,Womens Shoes Nike Magista Ola FG Volt/Blue Lagoon/Black/White, when left untied (the laces don't reach the ground) or tied loosely.

If you plan on doing this a bunch, the ATR is an excellent option. (Adidas)

As far as long-term wear goes, I took my ATRs to the streets of New York on a recent trip to test them out. They held up nicely during what I'd consider an everyday amount of activity (~2-3 miles of walking broken up with extended sitting breaks), my feet not getting particularly sore despite a long stroll through Ellesse Pavia Cup Trainer CP4441,. But on two particularly grueling days, the first, an hours-long punk show on wood and concrete floors, and the second, Womens Shoes Nike Flex Experience Run 4 Black/Copa/White/Vivid Purple,Lacoste Bowerey Trainer CP4512,Womens Shoes Nike FS Lite Run 3 Pure Platinum/Voltage Green/Hyper Pink/White,, my dogs were certainly barkin' when I returned home. Though I don't consider those days representative of normal use, the ATR, despite above-average comfort, is not a miracle worker.

Now, what about actually running in my running shoes? I'm not a hardcore or regular runner: My cardiovascular health is slightly above average at best, but I can put away 5 kilometers without trouble, and I did just that on the treadmill and on Portland's waterfront.

On the treadmill, the ATR provided a solid, comfortable ride. Perhaps it is because running on a treadmill is excruciatingly boring, but I found myself paying more attention to my body during this run, and I noted that the ankle sock kept my feet feeling more secured than with my normal low top running shoe New Balance CRT300 Trainer CP4555,.

However, the ATR really shined when running outside on a blustery November evening. Womens Sandals PATRIZIA Jabbah Silver,Nike Air Flight 89 Trainer CP4629,Womens Shoes PATRIZIA Chevron Beige,, partially down the Eastbank Esplanade and back on a damp day. It wasn't raining, but it had rained plenty earlier, and the path was slick and covered with fallen leaves.

And I just completely disappeared into my run Womens Shoes PUMA FashIN Diag Gore Steel Gray/Puma Silver/Black,Nike Roshe One Print Trainer CP4703,Womens Shoes Reebok Royal EC Ride Black/Fearless Pink/White,. Maybe it was because the Old Town sign was extra-glittery that evening, but, Womens Boots Rocket Dog Palmetto Grey Ice Queen,Nike Kobe X 'Pain' Trainer CP4756,Womens Shoes Rocket Dog Jenelle Natural Crystal, as one wants when on a fairly intense run, I barely noticed the shoes on my feet as I jogged along the Willamette.Womens Sandals Sam Edelman Eleanor Jute Glitz Fabric,Nike Air Max 95 Ultra Jacquard Trainer CP4830,Womens Shoes Sam Edelman Dora Mink, I had no issues with tightness, and the traction was excellent along wet concrete and the ostensibly slick floating metal bridge of the Esplanade. The only thing I really noticed was a slight bounce between my foot and the sole as I ran.

Now, is all of this worth the $220 price tag? If your running shoe or fashion sneaker budget is high, then Womens Shoes Saucony Hurricane ISO Purple/Coral/Lavendar,Puma Suede Classic Trainer CP4915,Womens Shoes Superga 2311 Wavedpuw Navy, nabs you a stylish, high-performing variant on a cool sneaker that'll help you push through Portland's blusteriest winter days. Yet, if you aren't committed to winter running, $220 is a high price to pay for a sneaker that mostly just looks cool. Womens Boots UGG Grandle Java,Ransom Path Lite Trainer CP4970,Womens Boots UGG Poppy Black Leather, As someone who gets my cardio in elsewhere, I wouldn't personally spend the $220 on a performance shoe which I am not using for its intended purpose.

Then again, I will be taking my next few runs to the streets in my ATRs as long as it isn't raining sideways.

(Cool Stuff is a new feature at Willamette Week where we feature product reviews, roundups, sales and other commerce and shopping-oriented content. All Cool Stuff reviews are editorially independent, meaning we provide honest reviews and aren't paid by the brands we write about. If you do choose to purchase something after following one of our links, Willamette Week may receive a commission, which helps fund our journalism.)